Online Class vs. Traditional Class: Which One is Right for You?

Benefits of Traditional Learning

Getting an education these days has become easier and more convenient thanks to online classes. In fact, more than 6 million students in the fall of 2015 were taking at least one distance learning course. This is up by 3.9% compared to the previous year.¹ However, despite the flexibility that comes with an online education, there are benefits of a traditional learning experience you won’t find online.

One-on-one instructor time

The biggest difference between distance learning and traditional learning is one-on-one instructor time. Many online courses are formatted in a self-service format. There’s an instructor who leads the course, but oftentimes isn’t leading a real-time lecture. Instead, lectures are pre-recorded and uploaded for viewing anytime.

While the availability of these video lectures allow students to view them on their own time and at their own pace, they don’t allow students to ask questions and get answers on the spot. Sure, they can email the instructor with their questions, but this private correspondence leaves out others in the class who might have the same question.

Traditional classrooms allow students to have that unique one-on-one experience with instructors and receive instant feedback. Plus, classrooms allow for deep discussions not only between student and instructor, but also among all students.

Structured learning

Everyone’s learning style is different. While others can easily focus on their studies at home, there are others who would prefer a physical space dedicated to learning. Traditional classrooms offer that learning environment and structure. You attend class, learn, interact and return home. The separation between home and school can be quite appealing to those who find there are too many distractions at home.

Social experience

Aside from interacting with an instructor, students are able to interact with each other. This can be especially helpful for those transitioning from military life to civilian life. Veterans may find traditional classrooms helpful during this period and have the opportunity to meet others who may share the same experiences as them.

Professional networking

In addition, physical classrooms provide the opportunity to build personal and professional relationships. Individuals pursuing an education are motivated to commit to a course with the goal of advancing their career opportunities. With that, it’s possible for a person to find their next business partner or employee from the class.

Hands-on training

Finally, most traditional learning programs come with more opportunities to get hands-on training. Traditional classrooms offer students that flexibility to learn in class, and then apply what they’ve learned in a real-life setting. At Animal Behavior College, our classroom students spend more than 100 hours working with shelter dogs and gaining hands-on experience.

“I have been told by the current students, per their military experience, they have been trained to: read about a topic, watch a video or PowerPoint on it, and then do the practical. So this class is perfect for them,” says classroom instructor Beth Harrison, ABCDT-L2. “That is exactly what we do. We read the curriculum, watch a video, have a group class discussion about what we just read, and then we go to Best Friends or the local shelter and practice.”

As convenient as online learning can be, it’s not for everyone. When choosing an education format, consider your learning style and how a program will best fit your needs.

^{1. https://onlinelearningsurvey.com/reports/digtiallearningcompassenrollment2017.pdf}